Well, the latest newsletter has been ‘put to bed’ and I can relax for a week or two, although I’m always on the lookout for news or interesting items.
I remember back to my first newsletter (June 2015) when I thought that if I got four pages I’d be lucky. We were talking about establishing an incorporated body to take over the running of our council assets - The Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and Talunga Park. In some ways we’ve advanced, and in others, it feels like we’ve been standing still, and it seems we have many of the same issues still not being addressed properly.
The Caravan Park is making more money than ever, and I’m sure it’s due in no small part to our Caretaker Dave Mac - who turns 50 this month. The park always seems to be full and those who stay there long term seem very happy. Many of the residents have integrated really well with the community and several of them are members of various clubs and organisations, we are lucky to have them.
Nowadays the newsletter is more likely to be in excess of 16 pages and there are reports and articles from all over. I try to include as much as I can from The Barossa Council, as I doubt many people have the time (or the willpower) to read through the hundreds of pages of Agendas, Minutes and attachments. Gareth Saunders has taken up the task of sending me a report from the Progress Association and Kath Fisher makes sure we know what the CWA, Red Cross and Friends of the Hospital are up to. Occasionally we get information form the Men’s Shed, but often they are busy off helping people and don’t get time to send things through.
Paula as usual is a fount of knowledge with all things Historic, and this month she told me about a Mt Pleasant connection with Simpson and his Donkey - and how one of the soldiers he took up to be looked after by the medics was Alec Bax - who lived in our house with this parents and siblings. Sadly not even the heroic John Simpson Kirkpatrick could save Alec, and he died shortly after. The Bax family also lost Murray and Ben as a result of the First World War, something that is almost impossible to comprehend now.
Paula also mentioned that it was thought that Captain Starlight visited Palmer (and possibly mount pleasant) when he was getting rid of his rustled cattle. Captain Starlight was the subject of our first Australian Classic movie that we showed towards the end of July, and it went over so well, we will continue it fortnightly - the next showing being ‘The Shiralee’ with Bryan Brown. We supplied hot soup and rolls with the movie, and I will attach the recipe for the Peanut and Chicken soup here, as so many people have asked for it. (If you don’t like things hot, only add half a teaspoon of Cayenne. Also, if your guests are ‘allergic’ to Coriander (Cilantro), omit it. It’s a lovely, tasty soup and freezes well.)
Although the nights have been foggy and cold, the days have been sunny and crisp, and that’s got to cheer you up in these odd times. Take care and stay warm!